Tulare County, California — March 25, 2012

Police say three people were killed and three others hurt Sunday when a vehicle smashed into a tree in the Visalia area.

According to troopers with the California Highway Patrol, an unidentified motorist from Tulare, 18, was behind the wheel of a 1991 Mazda 626 as it traveled northbound along California State Route 99. As the vehicle approached Exit 92 (Avenue 264) around 11:45 p.m., the driver apparently lost control.

Investigators say the 626 spun out, hitting the tree. Paramedics say the driver died from injuries suffered in the crash, as did a 19-year-old female passenger and a 22-year-old male passenger. Both were from Tulare.

Meanwhile, three other passengers suffered injury and were rushed to Kaweah Delta Medical Center. The survivors have been identified as 17-year-old Visalia resident Crystal Garcia, 18-year-old Tulare resident Isabel Aguado and 24-year-old Tulare resident Mario Santana.

Impact Teen Drivers was formed in 2008 to stop reckless and distracted driving among teens. In its mission as an advocate for the victims of traffic accidents, FindMyAccident has partnered with Impact Teen Drivers to protect young drivers in California and across the United States.

UPDATE: Police have identified the deceased victims as 18-year-old Reynaldo Javier Maldonado, the driver, 19-year-old Jennifer Avina and 22-year-old Victor Rivera.

If you would like an official copy of the police report, request a copy with this form.

comments

By posting here you agree to our terms and conditions.

  • Rene

    RIP Primo love you and miss you, see you soon

  • Mayra

    For who ever it is that is reading this. My name is Mayra Fiki Alvizo. I have suffered the greatest pain I have ever suffered in my life with the loss of Rey and Victor. It hurts that they left my home at 11:40 p.m. and at 11:48 p.m. they lost both their lives a long with Jennifer’s. What saddens me is that these where both great persons. Rey and I where like brother and sister. Although we where not blood brother and sister, we where the closest to being brother and sister as both of us ever had. Victor was one of my best friends. We dated from 2007-2009. We ended our relationship in bad terms but after a few months we ended up being best friends all over again. I moved on with my life got married, and had a son but he was still one of my best friends. Rey was only 18 at the time of his death. He graduated Tulare Union HS in 2011. He played Varsity football for Tulare Union HS since his sophomore year. Through out his highschool years he completed a nursing program and became a CNA at Tulare Regional Hospital in Tulare CA. He was well known. Had so many friends. I could honestly say he was the best baby brother I could ever have! He was always smiling, always pumped up and ready to take over the world! He was always working out and trying to stay healthy and fit. His attitude was always super positive. His motive was always to cheer you up. He was always singing (most likely Spanish/Mexican a.k.a “Corridos” songs), He was so sweet, caring, and giving. Victor graduated Tulare Western Highschool in 2007. Victor’s passion was always cooking. Therefore he wanted to go to a great culinary school but do to the fact that Victor was an illegal immigrant from Mexico, He couldn’t be accepted at most high class culinary institutes. But he did not settle for less, He decided to attend Tulare Adult School (T.A.S) Culinary program. Victor graduated at top of his class and became an amazing Chef. Soon he got hired at J.J’s Cowboy Cafe in Tulare CA. He was the Chef for this restaurant and clients/costumers learned to love all of his meals! The night they passed away Victor was his best friend Jorge’s best man at his wedding earlier that day. Anyone who knew Victor could tell you that he was ALWAYS smiling. You could be arguing with him, screaming at him, but he would always be smiling ear to ear! He was super friendly, always minded his business, never was an instigator, he was always super chill, and wanted to obtain his Legal Permanent Residency to go farther in life as a chef. What I’m trying to say is we lost two young lives for them being irresponsible. I’m not mad at Rey for causing this pain in our lives, I love him with all of my heart and if I could do anything to bring them back I would do it without any hesitation. These boys had so much potential, so many dreams they would have accomplished, so many years ahead of them and sadly they left us with just pictures and memories:”( I hope this has impacted your life in some sort of way. However all I can do is advise and plead to all of you reading this is to please DON’T drink and drive! DON’T text and drive! Wear your seatbelts! Don’t allow more people then what actually belong in your car to ride in your car. and PLEASE be a responsible young driver. It’s been 4 months and I can still say that this pain is unbearable:”( Do not cause your family and friends such pain:”(
     
    May all three of our beautiful Guardian Angels Rest in Peace and Love!